tdi 300 radiator removal

hi All,
is there any watch outs for removing a radiator , i want to flush it out , or can i flush it out in situ.
thanks
ETR

wet feet when you undo the bottom hose

ericthered said:

hi All,
is there any watch outs for removing a radiator , i want to flush it out , or can i flush it out in situ.
thanks
ETR

Click to expand...

Do it in situ. Fit a new set of jubilee clips while you are at it unless your current ones look to be in very good condition. If you are doing it on the top of a hill/sloping driveway park it a few feet down and then if you have to get underneath to re-fit the bottom hose you can move it up a couple of feet to save laying in yer man made puddle. An additive like rad flush may help. (kettle descaler works but make sure you rinse it out thoroughly after). Make sure you put the correct amount of antifreeze back in and NEVER mix different types of antifreeze as they may cancel each others properties out.

do you just put a hose pipe in the bottom and back flush until it come out the top, does this flush all the fins out ?

ericthered said:

do you just put a hose pipe in the bottom and back flush until it come out the top, does this flush all the fins out ?

Click to expand...

It's not the fins you flush it is the thin pipes within. The fins are there to give more surface area to help disperse the heat. If the fins are clogged you can run hose at them to unblock them but do it with the hose dead straight (inline) if you are using any kind of pressure so as to minimise risk of damageing them (they are very delicate).

You are better off using a flushing agent that you can add when the engine is warm to help remove the crud. It is very difficult to back flush with the rad in situ due to the size of the hole and gravity. you are better off sticking the hose in the top of the rad. The bottom hose removel is to allow the entire radiator contents to escape.

thanks ratty even i can do that
ETR